The Ghost Dance

A Paiute shaman named Wovoka hailed all the tribes across the nation. And announced himself the messiah visions backed his bold proclamation. Year eighteen ninety in Nevada they came to sing and learn the Ghost Dance. And hear of a new world prophecy that come spring will replace bow and lance. The earth will be covered with new soil burying the devils with white skins. And on that soil grows a sea of grass where restoration of hope begins. Herds of buffalo and wild horses will be resplendent in their return. And the ghosts of ancestors will come to replace all those who would not learn. Everyone who performs the Ghost Dance will be lifted high into the air. And they will stay there while earth's renewed safely removed from the white man’s lair. They'll be returned to the earth and all the recent dead will revive then. And women danced till they collapsed pleading for the return of their men. Every dancer wore a Ghost Dance shirt painted with symbols of great magic. And when told bullets couldn't pierce them this desperate last straw turned tragic. Written Aug.7, 2015